One question we get often is how best to apply to a major which is different from your undergraduate specialization? Goes without saying that applying outside of your area of specialization puts you at a distinct disadvantage versus those staying within their major – because such students are likely to form a majority of the applicants, and are likely be a better fit. So, think long and hard before going down this tough road. However, if you are convinced about your decision, read on to check out our pointers.

When you are venturing out into a field that you have not majored in, you need to take measures to up-skill yourself for the course. This is necessary to convince universities that you are indeed interested in and committed to the course. Things you can do:

Work on projects or research papers in the target area for a better grasp on the functioning of the industry. Talking to your professors or other experts in the field for a possible project collaboration is a great way to learn the ropes.

Enroll for internships to garner work experience in the targeted field. In your search for internships, focus more on the quality and relevance of the work rather than on the stipend on offer. You can use websites like Internshala to search for relevant internships.

Get a minor degree: Several Indian universities offer minor degrees. If you’re still in college, find out if your university does, and whether you can take elective courses to get one for yourself.

Sign up for certifications: You could also enroll into independent certification programs in your targeted subject and gain the exposure that can be very valuable while pursuing a specialization course. For instance, for a mechanical engineer targeting a MS in Finance program, clearing CFA exams would add an immense amount of value to the application.

Network with seniors: Through LinkedIn, and your peer network, find out if any of our alumni have gone through a similar transition. Reach out to them for advice. You will be surprised how often alums will return a cold email asking for help. And getting insights from someone who’s been through the journey is extremely helpful.

Bring it all together and kill it in your SOP: Take the admission office through what convinced you to change your specialization. Describe your passion, your interest, and your aptitude – and back it all with examples of your actions that prove the same.

In a nutshell, we think that it’s quite alright to realize that the specialization that you started with is not one that you enjoy. After all, we don’t typically go by interest areas when deciding our undergrad majors. However, it is vital that you see the need for such switch early, and take proactive steps to set yourselves up for success with the switch.

About author

Aman Jain
Aman Jain graduated from IIT Kanpur, and currently functions as the VP of Marketing & Operations. He is deeply passionate about creating equality in higher education and has directly interacted with 2000+ students in his year-long journey.